Article November 14, 1977 Issue

Lifting Up Our Children

FREDA SPERLING BENSON

The Bible paints a pathetic picture of the banished bondwoman Hagar and her small son wandering in the wilderness. Their water gone, the end seems near. Hagar sets the child down at a little distance and begins to cry. Just then an angel message from God appears to her. God has heard the voice of the boy, and the message comes, "Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation."^{Gen. 21:18;} Hagar's eyes are opened; she discovers a well of water.

It seems evident that Hagar's thought had been changed from despair and rejection to hope. Didn't her lifting up of the child indicate a greater appreciation of him, a larger expectancy of good?

Parents and all who are associated with children can find useful guidance in Hagar's experience. Christian Science explains that parents can help their offspring effectively by spiritually uplifting their own concept of children. The inspired motive in child rearing is the desire to discover the real individuality of the child.

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